Orono, Maine -- The University of Maine softball team will open its season on Friday, February 23 with day one of the 2018 Seahawk Softball Classic, hosted at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
SCOUTING THE BLACK BEARS:
The Black Bears are coming off a 2017 campaign which saw them finish 19-25, 10-6 in America East play, and advancing to the America East Title Game. The Black Bears failed to win their second consecutive America East title, dropping the championship game to UAlbany by a final of 6-1.
Maine returns six positions starters, two pitchers and 12 total letter winners from last year's squad. The Black Bears feature five of their top six hitters returning from a year ago, led by America East All-Conference first team outfielder,
Rachel Carlson. The senior is coming off a career-best year which saw her bat .364 while leading the team in hits (51), runs (28) and stolen bases. Carlson ranked seventh among America East hitters in total average and led the Black Bears with a .434 on-base percentage to go along with 15 multi-hit games and posted Maine's longest streak of safely reaching base (18).
Alyssa Derrick returns as Maine's biggest power threat, and perhaps the most feared power threat in the America East. Derrick matched Maine's single-season home run record with an America East leading 15 in 2017 and ranked fourth in the league with 37 RBIs. Derrick enters her junior season just 12 home runs shy of tying Maine's all-time home run record (35).
Meghan Royle, an America East All-Conference second team selection, hit .281 a year ago with 20 runs, 22 RBIs and team-best efforts in doubles (7) and triples (4). Senior
Erika Leonard also returns a year after hitting .235 with 24 runs, 22 RBIs, eight stolen bases and a team-high 19 walks.
Maddie Decker, who assumed catching duties for last season's America East tournament play, will look to step up in that role this year after the departure of
Rachel Harvey to graduation. The Black Bears will also look to fill the void left at shortstop by four-year starter
Felicia Lennon with junior
Laurine German.
In the circle, Maine returns a pair of veteran arms in seniors
Molly Flowers and
Annie Kennedy. Flowers finished the year ranked fourth in the America East with 79 strikeouts over 94.1 innings. Flowers finished as Maine's leader with six wins to go along with five complete games.
Annie Kennedy, who saw the majority of her work in relief, finished the year 5-3 with a team-low 4.05 ERA to go along with 30 strikeouts in 67.1 innings. Maine will expand its rotation this season to feature freshmen
Kyleigh O'Donnell and
Lilly Volk.
Mike Coutts, who has guided the Black Bears to the America East title game in each of his first two seasons, including a championship and trip to the regionals in his first season in 2016, returns for his third year at the helm and his sixth season on staff.
This February, the University of Maine community comes together with the support of the Maine Sports Commission to celebrate the achievements of women and girls in sports. We believe that participation in sports at all ages builds courage, strength, and character and provides women with the confidence and tools to become the leaders of tomorrow. Please join us at our games and celebration events throughout the month.Â
To support UMaine Women's Athletics, please visit:Â our.umaine.edu/fillthesteins
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